Interchangeable wrench or other tool holder



J. R. AYOTTE INTERCHANGEABLE WRENCH OR bTaER 'rooL HOLDER Dec. 6, 1927.

ljiled Aug. 2, 1923. 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I [hue/2157. fase p/e Kane @0556.

Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,361

" J. R. AYOTTE INTERCHANGEABLE WRENCH OR OTHER TOOL HOLDER Filed A112; 2, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 Fig. 1.

Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES.

JOSEPH RENE AYO TTE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

INTEBCHANGEABLE WRENCH OR OTHER TOOL HOLDER.

Application filed August 2, 1923. Serial No. 655,244. r

This invention relates to tool holders in general, but more particularly to those for use in connection with automobiles, orin other situations where several interchangeable Wrench sockets are necessary or desirable, or where interchangeable tools of various kinds are to be employed;

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a novel and effective form of tool holder for coupling the wrench socket or other tool in position on the handle, or for coupling in place an extension of the handle, when a longer handle is necessary or desirable.

It is also an object to provide a novel and simple form of spring for the tool holder, which can be manufactured cheaply and at minimum cost, and which will be effective andreliable in use.

It is also anobject to provide certain. details and features of improvementand novel combinations tending to increase the general efii'ciency and the desirability of an interchangeable tool holder ofthis, particular character. 7

To the foregoing and other useful ends, the invention consists in certain matters hereinafter set forth and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,'-

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a tool holder embodying the principles of the invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing an extension to he applied to the lowerend of the handle structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a device also embodying the principles of the invention, adapted to be used for various purposes, and adapted if desired to be applied to the upper end of the handle structure shown m Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a device embodying the principles of theinvention, and which may beused for various' purposes,'including the use thereof to turn the upper end of thestructure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional viewof a' device embodying the principles of the invention, adapted to be applied to the upper end of the structure shown in Fig. 1 when it is desired to obtain power from a motor to operate the lower end of the device shownin Fi 1 as holder for a drill to be rotated at high s ee iFig. 6 is a plan view ofa ratc'h'etwrench or tool of ordinary, form, which can be used on the tool holder shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 7.shows a rodv or lever having a tool holder at its lower end to receive the socketed end of the device shown in Fig. 6. F1g. 8'1s an end view of the device shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a lower end view of the device" shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are detail views illustrating the method of producing the spring which forms a portion of the improved tool holder.

Fig. 13 shows an ordinary vcarpenters brace provided with a socket or tool holder embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 14 shows a drill or bit holder which can be inserted in thesocket at the'lower end of the device shown in Fig. 13, or which can be inserted in the tool holder or socket shown at the lower end of the device of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 15 is a lower end view of the device shown in Fig. 7.

Figs. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20and 21 show the various forms of tools or extensions which can be applied to the socket shown at the lower end of Fig. 13, or at the lower end of Fig. 1, for different kinds of work.

extension adapted to be applied to the lower end of Fig. 13, or to the lower end of Fig.

2, or Fig. 3 or Fig. 4, or to the lower end of Fig. 1.

Fig.24 is a vertical section on line 24-24 1 of Fig. 23. I r

Fig. 25 is a transverse section on line 25-25 in Fig. 23.

I As thus illustrated, and referring to Figs. 1

1 and 2, the invention comprises an outer tube adapted to be grasped and held in the hand as ahandle; The rod or shaft 2 inside of said tube is headed at its upper end socket piece forms the tool holder, or extension holder, and for this purpose is provided with a spring held in lace by a set screw 6, said spring having our bent portions 9 and a central opening 10 for said screw. -Thus the screw and the spring means hold the socket piece 5 removably on the polygonal reduced portion 7 of the rod, and thus in some cases. as will be seen. the washer 8 can be omitted. The socket 11 in the socket piece 5 is preferably polygonal or at least flattened on one or two sides thereof, so thatthe tool or extension inserted therein will not rotate or turn in the socket. The tool shown in Fig. 19. for example. has a portion 12 adapted to fit in the socket 11. and has a socket 13 to receive the spring fingers 9, whereby the tool is snapped into place and firmly held in the tool holder. The portion 14 of said tool is socketed to engage a nut or the head of a bolt. By grasping the tube 1 in one hand. and by turning the upper end of the rod 2. the tool holder socket piece 5 will be rotated. and the tool shown in Fig. 19 will be rotated to loosen or tighten the bolt. The device shown in Fig. 3. or the device shown in Fig. 4. may be applied to the socket 4 to turn the rod 2. in an obvious manner. For example, the device shown in Fig. 3 has a socket 15 to fit the cupped portion 16 on the upper end of the rod 2, and has spring fingers 17. similar to those previously described. to engage firmly in the socket 4. so that thetool holder having the socket 15 is firmly held in place. A rod 18 is inserted through the socket piece or tool holder 19, and is removably held in place by the springpressedfriction member 20 in the tool holder. The rod 18 can be used as a lever to rotate the socket piece or tool holder 19. thereby to rotate the rod 2.

and thereby to rotate the tool shown in Fig. 19, or the tool shown in Fig. 21. for example; This latter is shaped like a screwdriver.

Now the tool holder or socket piece in Fig. 4 is exactly like the one previously described for the lower end of Fig. 1. and this is also true of the tool holder or socket piece shown at the lower end in Fig. 13. or in Fig. 7. or in Fig. 2, or in Fig. 5. and even in Fig. 24 the same tool holder having identically the same form of spring is shown. In Fig. 2. however. a universal joint 21' is interposed between the lower socket piece 22'and the upper socket piece 23. which latter enters the tool holder at the lower end of Fig. 1, thereby to provide an angular extension. The casing 24 of the device shown in Fig. 2 has a. notch 25 at its upper end to engage the outwardly bent portion 26 of the metal tube 1. so that the tube 1 and the casing 24 are locked against relative rotation. whereby rotation of the rod 2 will rotate the socket piece 22 in the desired manner.

ner.

Figs. 16. 17 and 6 have sockets 32 which are A ring 27 is preferably placed around the upper edge portion of the casing24 to arovide reinforcement therefor. Ball bearings 28, or other suitable anti-friction means, are interposed between the casing 24 and the socket pieces 22 and 23. so that these socket pieces will rotate smoothly and with apparently little friction within the casing 24, in a manner that will be readily understood. Similar ball bearings 29, or other anti-fric tion means, are preferably interposed be tween the socket piece 5 and the tube 1. and between the upper headed portion of the rod 2 and the tube 1. whereby to insure a smooth rotation of the rod 2 and the socket piece 5 within the tube. If it be desired to rotate the rod 2 by power, when a drill is fixed or connected to the socketpiece 5. the device shown in Fig. 5 will be applied to the upper end of the rod 2 by inserting the spring portions 30 in the socket 4 previously mentioned. and by connecting the portion 31 to a flexible power shaft or any other means driven by a motor or other source of power.

The device shown in Fig. 7 can be used as an extension of the brace shown in Fig. 13. or as a lower end extension for the device shown in Fig. 1. or it can be used in conjunct-ion with the devices shown in Figs. 2. 3 and 4, if so desired. The device shown in Fig. 7 can be used alone in connection with the toolsshown in Figs. 16 and 17. min connection with the ratchet wrench device shown in Figs. 6 and 8. by merely using the rod or shank of the device shown in Fig. 7 as a hand lever to be rocked or vibrated back and forth in the ordinary man- In other words. the tools. shown in made of. a size to receive the spring fingers 33 provided in the socket piece 34 at. the lower end of the rod shown in Fig. 7. whereby said rod has its lower end provided with a tool holder exactly like those previously described.

The device shown in Figs. 23. 24 and 25 is a. special extension to be used under conditions requiring some capacity for adjustment of the, socket piece 36 relative to the portion 37 which engages the tool holder at the lower end of Fig. 1 or at the lower end of Fig; 3. or at the lower end of Figs. 2, 4 and 7. if so desired. This relative movement is possible by reason of the swiveled connection formed by the stem 38. which is rigid with the socket piece 36. but which is free to turn intheportion 37. and which issubject to upward pressure by the coiled spring 39. applied thereto. The socket piece 36 has ribs 40 on its upper end to engage grooves 41 in the lower end of the portion 37, and while these ribs and grooves are adapted to hold the portionskltl and 37 against relative movement, to a certain extent, it is still possible to compress the spring 39 enough to permit relative movement between the socket piece 36 and the portion 37 when circumstances require it.

As shown in Figs'IO, 11 and 12, the spring which forms an important element ofthe tool holder wherever found in the drawings, is made by stamping a four-armed blank out of sheet metal, as shown in Fig. 10, and by then bending the four arms into the shape shown in Figs. 11 and 12, whereby the springs for the tool holders are very cheaply, but very elfectively, made. Sheet steel or other suitable sheet metal can be employed for this purpose. With this tool holder construction, involvin' a spring in the socket of the tool holder em odying the principles of the invention shown and described, various combinations and different uses are possible,

as illustrated in the drawings, and all sorts of tools can be employed in conjunction therewith, and various extensions can be employed, so as to give the user a'device or combination of devices which will be suitable foralmost any situation which may be found on an automobile, or in connection with other structures; It is well known that on automobiles, and with other structures and machinery, nuts and bolts and screw heads often occur in' places where it is exceedingl diflicult to get at them when necessary or desirable. The invention shown and described provides a tool holder for use in conjunction with interchangeable tools, or for use in connection with interchangeable extensions, of such character that the tools or extensions are held firmly and effectively in place by spring means so that the tools are not liable to drop out, and the extensions are not liable to come apart, no matter in what position the user may place the tool holder and its handle, or any of the devices shown and described. The invention contemplates, therefore, a more effective union between tool holders and interchangeable tools therefor, and between handles and interchangeable extensions thereof, than was heretofore possible with devices previously employed or this purpose.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a tool holder for use with interchangeable tools or extensions therefor, in combination therewith, a socket piece formed with a socket to fit the outside of the tools or extensions and prevent rotation of the tool or extension therein, with the tool or extension formed with straight cylindrical sides inside thereof, and sheet metal spring means in said socket to slidingly engage said inner sides, said inner sides being formed to hold said spring means under maximum tension at all times during the insertion and withdrawal of the tool or extension, and when the tool or extension is fully inserted in position for use, at more than two equidistant points on said cylindrical sides, whereby to frictionally hold the tool or extension in place, said spring means being removable from the socket, said spring means comprising a plurality of spring fingers extending toward the mouth of the socket, said fingers being integrally connected together, and a screw inserted centrally to hold said spring fingers in place. i

2. In a tool holder for use with interchangeable tools or extensions therefor, in combination therewith, a socket piece formed with a socket to fit the outside of the tools or extensions and prevent rotation of the tool or extension therein, with the toolor extension formed with straight cylindrical sides inside thereof, and sheet metal spring means in said socket to slidingly engage said inner sides, said inner sides being formed to hold said spring means under maximum tension at all times during the insertionand withdrawal of the tool or extension, and when the tool or extension is fully inserted in position for use, at more than two equidistant points on said cylindrical sides, whereby to frictionally hold the tool or extension in place, said spring means being removable from the socket, said tool or extension being formed with a round portion flattened only at two opposite sides thereof to fit said socket, and provided with a round socket forming said inner sidesto receive said spring means. i i

3. In a tool holder for use with interchangeable tools or extensions therefor, in combination therewith, a socket piece formed with a socket to fit the outside of the tools or extensions and prevent rotation of the tool or extension therein, with the tool or extension formed with straight cylindrical sides inside thereof, and sheet metal spring means in said socket to slidingly engage said inner sides, said inner sides being formed to hold said spring means under maximum tension at all times during the insertion and withdrawal of the tool or extension, and when the tool or extension is fully inserted in position for use, at more than two equidistant points on said cylindrical sides, whereby to frictionally hold the tool or extension in place, said spring means being removable from the socket, in combination with a rod to which said socket piece is removably secured by said spring means.

4. In a tool holder for use with interchangeable tools or extensions therefor, in combination therewith, a socket piece formed with a socket to fit the outside of the tools or extensions and prevent rotation of the tool or extension therein, with the tool or extens.

sion formed with straight cylindrical sides 1ns1de thereof, and sheet metal spring means in said socket to slidingly engage said inner sides, said inner sides being formed to hold said spring means under maximum tension at all times during the insertion and withdrawal of the tool or extension, and when the tool or extension is fully inserted in position for use, at more than two equidistant points on said cylindrical sides, whereby to frictionally hold the tool or extension in lace, said spring means being removable rom the socket, in combination with a rod to which said socket piece is secured by said spring means, and another tool holder of similar nature for engaging the other end of said rod to rotate the first mentioned tool holder. 1

5. In a tool holder for use with interchangeable tools or extensions therefor, in combination therewith, a socket piece formed with a socket to lit the outside of the tools or extensions and prevent rotation of the tool or extension therein, with the tool or extension formed with straight cylindrical sides inside thereof, and sheet metal spring means in said socket to slidingly engage said inner sides, said inner sides being formed to hold said spring means under l'l'ltlXlll'ltllll tension at all times during the insertion and withdrawal of the tool or extension, and when the tool or extension is fully inserted in position for use, at more than two equidistant points on said cylindrical sides, whereby to frictionally hold the tool or extension in place, said spring means being removable from the socket, in combination with a rod to one end of which said tool holder is attachcd by said spring means, a tube forming a handle outside of said rod, and means ineluding another tool holder of similar na ture for engagement with the other end of as said rod to rotate the latter Within said tubular handle. a y T a (nIn a tool holder for use with interchangeable tools or extensions therefor, in conJibinat-ion therewith, a socket iece formed 40 with a socket to lit the outside 0 the tools or extensions and prevent rotation of the tool or extension therein, with the tool or extension formed with straight cylindrical sides inside thereof, and sheet metal spring means 4 in said socket to slidin ly engage said inner sides, said inner sides lacing formed to hold said spring means under maximum tension at all times during the insertion and Withdrawal of the tool or extensiomand when the tool or extension is fully inserted in, position for use, at more than two equidistant points on said cylindrical sides, whereby to frictionally hold the tool or extension in place, said spring means beingreinovable from the socket, in combination with a casing for an extension of said tool holder,a rod to one end of which said tool holder is attached by said spring means, a tubular handle enclosing said rod, and interconnection between said casing and said tubular handle to prevent relative rotationbetween them, in combination with means for rotating said rod to thereby rotate said extension.

JOSEPH RENE AYOTTE. 

